Charles Larson

LARSON

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 3/20/2009 at 00:32:20

Charles Larson, Devoting his energies to farming and stock raising on Sec 22, Garden township, Charles Larson there owns 320 acres of rich land of Boone county. He is a native of Sweden, born June 1, 1845, and was a young man of twenty-four years when he arrived in Boone county, reaching this locality on May 20, 1869. His father, John Larson was also born and reared in Sweden, was married there, reared his family and eventually passed to the home beyond in that country.
Charles Larson, however was attracted to the new world and with his mother and stepfather he came in 1852, settling in Rock Island county, Illinois, where he remained for about three years. In 1855 he became a resident of Henry county, that state, locating between Andover and Berlin, where his stepfather, John Gabrielson, purchased land and engaged in farming. Charles Larson was largely reared in Henry county. His educational privileges were very meager for from an early age he had to depend upon his own resources and largely assist in the work of the home farm. He worked in a brickyard for three years in his youth and was afterward for seven years employed as a farm hand in the service of one man. The first land which he ever owned was a tract of 51 acres in Henry county. He improved that place, continuing its cultivation for two years, at the end of which time he sold it at a good advance on the purchase price. He was married in Rock Island county in 1868 to Miss Hannah Olson, who was born and reared in Sweden.
In the following year Mr Larson came to Iowa, making a location in Bo one county, where he became connected with agricultural interests. He first purchased 80 acres of raw prairie land on Sec 22, Garden township, and buying an old house, moved it to his farm. Living in it, he turned his attention to the work of breaking his land and from early morning until dewy eve he worked in the fields. He afterward purchased more land and thus added from time to time to his property until he has become the possessor of 320 acres. He has built a good substantial house, a large barn and outbuildings and has the place equipped with al modern accessories and conveniences for the operation of the farm and the provision of a comfortable home, for the shelter of his grain and stock and for carrying on the work of the fields in a modern and progressive manner.
Unto Mr and Mrs Larson have been born eight children: c E who is married and resides in Cambridge, Ankeny W who is associated with his brother in the ownership of a store in Cambridge, Joseph A who is married and resides on a farm near Eagle Grove, William M Who assists his father in the conduct of the home farm, Ida F and Phebe M who are still with their parents. They lost tow children, Ella R who died at the age of nineteen years, and Mollie who died at he age of three years. Politically Mr Larson is a stanch Republican. When age gave to him the right of franchise he voted for General U S Grant for the presidency and has supported each presidential candidate of the party since that time. His fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth and ability, have called him to public office and for three years he served as township trustee of Garden township, and has also been a school director. He and his wife are loyal and consistent members of the Madrid Swedish Lutheran church. During a third of a century he has lived I Boone county and is now numbered among its pioneer settlers. The Swedish element in the citizenship of this portion of the state has been a very important one in promoting progress and improvement here, and in this regard Mr Larson has been a worthy representative of his native land.

1902 Boone County History Book